Chalk Hill · Sonoma County
Visit Rodney Strong with a Private Chauffeur
A Sonoma County pioneer that made the first Chalk Hill Chardonnay, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Rod Strong, a professional dancer turned vintner, founded the winery in 1959 with his wife, Charlotte Ann Winson, making their first wines in a century-old boarding house. It was the 13th bonded winery in Sonoma County. The Klein family, fourth-generation California farmers, bought Rodney Strong in 1989 and still run it.
Strong was a pioneer of Sonoma County vineyards. He planted Chardonnay in Chalk Hill in 1965, among the first Pinot Noir in the Russian River Valley in 1968, made the first single-vineyard Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon in 1974 and the first Chalk Hill appellation Chardonnay in 1977. The winery farms estate vineyards across Sonoma County, from Chalk Hill and the Russian River Valley to Alexander Valley.
The winery is on Old Redwood Highway just south of Healdsburg, with a tasting room, a terrace and a lawn. The menu of flights covers Rodney Strong wines along with its Davis Bynum Pinot Noirs, Rowen blends and library Cabernets.
Tasting Fees
$25 for the Introductory Flight of three wines. $40 for the Rodney Strong Flight or the Davis Bynum Flight of five wines, and $50 for the Rowen Flight. $65 for the Tour & Tasting and $75 for the Library Flight of older Cabernets. One flight is waived with the purchase of two bottles from it.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
11455 Old Redwood Highway, Healdsburg
AVA
Chalk Hill
Visiting
Open Thursday to Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., last reservation at 3 p.m. Reservations highly recommended; walk-ins welcome before 3 p.m. when space allows.
Known For
Chalk Hill Chardonnay, Russian River Valley Pinot Noir and Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Founded
1959
Good to Know
Children are welcome under direct parental supervision. Leashed dogs welcome on the terrace and green, but not inside. Parties of 7 or more need a reservation. No outside food or drink during tastings.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:15 a.m. from a Healdsburg hotel such as Hotel Healdsburg or Harmon Guest House.
10:15 · Pickup at Hotel Healdsburg or Harmon Guest House
Hotel Healdsburg, on the town plaza, and Harmon Guest House, a boutique hotel just off the plaza, are each about 10 minutes from Rodney Strong, which opens at 10:30. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:30 · Rodney Strong Vineyards
The Rodney Strong Flight of five wines ($40), or the three-wine Introductory Flight ($25).
11:45 · Ridge Lytton Springs
About 15 minutes away. One of California's great Zinfandel houses, also famous for Monte Bello Cabernet; its 1971 Monte Bello was poured at the 1976 Judgment of Paris. The seated Estate Tasting of five single-vineyard wines is about 75 minutes ($35). Reservations recommended, 21 and over.
1:10 · Lunch at Dry Creek General Store
About 10 minutes away. A country store since 1881 at the crossroads of Dry Creek Valley, with a deli for sandwiches, soups and salads, a front porch over the valley and a garden out back. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:25 · Pedroncelli Winery
About 10 minutes away. A family winery on the hills above Geyserville since 1927, now in its fourth generation. Seated flights are $25 to $35. Reservations required; open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. and Monday from noon, closed Tuesday.
3:25 · Back to your hotel
Back in Healdsburg by 3:45 p.m., within six hours of pickup.
Optional: Seghesio Family Vineyards
Adds 30 minutes to an hour. A Zinfandel house a few blocks from the Healdsburg plaza. Walk-ins are welcome for the Bar Flight ($20, about 30 minutes); open daily until 4 p.m.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. This day works Thursday to Sunday, when Rodney Strong is open.
About $85 to $110 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
Every tour is custom. This day is a starting point: your chauffeur will shape it around what matters to you, and we plan multi-day tours for guests who want to see more of wine country.
Your Vehicle & Six-Hour Tour Rates
Up to 6 guests
Elite Luxury SUV
Lincoln Navigator or Cadillac Escalade
From $750
Six-hour wine tour, plus 20% gratuity. Additional hours $125 each.
Up to 9 guests
Jet Sprinter or Executive Luxury Van
Captain's chairs and room to spread out
From $1,350
Six-hour wine tour, plus 20% gratuity. Additional hours $225 each.
Larger groups travel in more than one vehicle, and we plan the winery appointments around your group, since many wineries limit groups to 6 to 8 guests. Tasting fees are separate and paid directly to each winery. Every tour starts with six hours; add time by the hour when you book.
Questions
Do I need a reservation at Rodney Strong?
Reservations are highly recommended, and walk-ins are welcome before 3 p.m. when space allows. Parties of 7 or more need a reservation. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Rodney Strong?
Flights are $25 to $50 per person, with the Tour & Tasting at $65 and the Library Flight at $75, as of September 2026.
When is Rodney Strong open?
Thursday to Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last reservation at 3 p.m. It is closed Monday to Wednesday.
Can children visit Rodney Strong?
Yes, children are welcome under direct parental supervision. Leashed dogs are welcome on the terrace and green.
Who owns Rodney Strong Vineyards?
The Klein family, since 1989. Rod Strong founded the winery in 1959.
How does booking a tour with Bien Chauffeured work?
Reserve a six-hour tour online, even if your plans are still taking shape. Your chauffeur will email you first to learn what matters to you, then build your itinerary and make the winery appointments. Extra hours can be added.
Reserve Your Tour Now, Plan the Details Later
Your plans don't need to be final to book. Reserve your six-hour tour online, and your chauffeur will email you first to learn what matters to you, then build your itinerary and make the winery appointments. Prefer to talk? Call our concierge at 888-291-2328.
Reserve Your Tour{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Winery","name":"Rodney Strong Vineyards","url":"https://www.rodneystrong.com/","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"11455 Old Redwood Highway","addressLocality":"Healdsburg","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"95448","addressCountry":"US"},"foundingDate":"1959"},{"@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Do I need a reservation at Rodney Strong?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Reservations are highly recommended, and walk-ins are welcome before 3 p.m. when space allows. Parties of 7 or more need a reservation. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How much is a tasting at Rodney Strong?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Flights are $25 to $50 per person, with the Tour & Tasting at $65 and the Library Flight at $75, as of September 2026."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"When is Rodney Strong open?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Thursday to Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last reservation at 3 p.m. It is closed Monday to Wednesday."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Can children visit Rodney Strong?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes, children are welcome under direct parental supervision. Leashed dogs are welcome on the terrace and green."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Who owns Rodney Strong Vineyards?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The Klein family, since 1989. Rod Strong founded the winery in 1959."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How does booking a tour with Bien Chauffeured work?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Reserve a six-hour tour online, even if your plans are still taking shape. Your chauffeur will email you first to learn what matters to you, then build your itinerary and make the winery appointments. Extra hours can be added."}}]}]}